SERMON SEEDS
BIBLE OUTLINES FOR PASTORS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS
U24 – FOR WEEK OF 9/12/22
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - SERMON SEEDS (fbcnhremembers.com)
________________________
THE WONDER OF IT ALL!
Selected Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 13:1 - Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Romans 8:38 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Just a few verses, that tell us that God loves us. As we sang earlier – “The Wonder of it all just to think that God loves me.” I got to thinking about the wonders that God has bestowed upon us in Christ. Here are some of them:
IT’S A WONDER THAT GOD CHOSE US
Ephesians 1:3-6
“The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life.” Warren Wiersbe
IT’S A WONDER JESUS CAME
Philippians 2:5-7
“What Paul is actually stating is that Jesus Christ, though essentially God and entitled to the outer manifestation of His deity, voluntarily set aside the manifestation of His glory and substituted instead the appearance of a servant, or a slave.” John Walvoord
IT’S A WONDER JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED
Philippians 2:8, Ephesians 1:7
IT’S A WONDER THAT HE CONQUERED DEATH
Philippians 2:9-11
ITS’ A WONDER WE CAN BE CONVERTED
Ephesians 2:8-10
Salvation is a gift because Jesus paid for it. It can’t be earned. Good works after salvation proves conversion.
IT’S A WONDER WE HAVE COMMUNION
- With Jesus – Philippians 3:10-14
“The Christian life is a life-long pursuit of Christ-likeness.” John MacArthur
- With Each Other – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
IT’S A WONDER THAT HE’S COMING FOR US
Philippians 3:20-21
TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE PREACHED BY PASTOR JACK, CLICK HERE:
First Baptist Church of New Holland PA - Sermons (fbcnhremembers.com)
___________________
JOSHUA 15:13-19 – GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN
#14 – MOVING FORWARD – THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
- What is an incentive or an incentive plan?
- There are several types of incentives or incentive plans. Name some you’ve encountered.
- Why should Christians not need incentives to serve God? John 14:15, 21-24, Romans 11:33-12:1
Although we do not need rewards beyond eternal life with Jesus, God has an incentive plan called “rewards”. These rewards are handed out at what is known as the "Judgment Seat of Christ". Here we see this incentive plan illustrated through the actions of Caleb.
BACKGROUND – Joshua 15:1-13
- Joshua and the children of Israel had crossed the River Jordan and had conquered the land to divide the land by lot among the tribes and let the tribes finish the job.
- Judah was given their territory, but first the promise to Caleb was kept. Joshua 15:13.
- Caleb did not have an easy place to conquer, but he did, and used an incentive plan.
GOD'S INCENTIVE PLAN INVOLVES OTHERS – Joshua 15:13-15
- Vss. 13-14 - Notice that Caleb went in and possessed the town he wanted - Hebron. He proved the claim that he made before Joshua in Joshua 14:11.
- Vs. 15 - Caleb comes to Debir, whose original name meant "City of the Book." Here he decides that he is going to give the joy of conquering this city to someone else.
- Vs. 16 - Caleb was capable. He was sharing the wealth. Besides, because it was his duty to look for a suitable husband for his daughter, he uses this as a way of finding a good man.
- God does not need our help, but God has chosen to involve us in His work. Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Matthew 5:16, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11
GOD'S INCENTIVE PLAN INCLUDES REWARDS – Joshua 15:16-17
- Vss. 16-17 - In the case of Caleb, he offered his daughter as the reward for a job well done.
- Othniel, first of the judges of Israel, was the one who took the city and received the reward.
- God also offers rewards for jobs which are well done at “The Judgement Seat of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5
- The word used for rewards in scripture is "crown" or "crowns". Crowns are symbolic of royalty.
- There are at least five different crowns mentioned in Scripture:
- The Crown of Life – James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
- The Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- The Soul Winner’s Crown – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
- The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
- The Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4
- What will we do with those crowns? Revelation 4:4, 10-11
GOD'S INCENTIVE PLAN INSPIRES PRAYER – Vss. 18-19
- Vss. 18-19 - Othniel is encouraged by his wife to ask Caleb for a field. And then, she is secure enough to ask of a loving father springs which would water that field. He gave her more than she asked for - upper and lower springs.
- Our Heavenly Father is like that. He includes us in His work, and rewards at the end.
- And then, He empowers us to get the job done by answering our prayers. Matthew 7:7-11
___________________
Psalm 67 – SEEKING AND ENJOYING
COMMUNICATION OF GOD’S MAJESTY – Vss. 1-6
CONFUSION OF IDOL WORSHIPERS – Vs. 7
COMFORT FOR ZION – Vs. 8
CONDUCT OF THE SAINTS – Vss. 9-10
__________________________
DANIEL 6 – FAITHFUL!
Revelation 2:10 (KJV) - …be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
The Prophet Daniel was a faithful man! Let’s imitate him.
FAITHFUL IN HIS WORK – Daniel 6:1-4
Colossians 3:17, 22-25, Ephesians 4:28
FAITHFUL IN HIS WITNESS – DANIEL 6:5-9
Daniel 1 – God’s Law – He would not eat the King’s food, but did not impose his beliefs on everyone.
Daniel 2 – God’s Message – Daniel explained and interpreted a dream for God’s glory.
Daniel 5 – God’s Judgment – Daniel pronounced judgment on sin at God’s direction.
FAITHFUL IN HIS WORSHIP – Daniel 6:10-14
Daniel 3 – Like his friends before him, Daniel faithfully worshipped his God, no matter what the price! 1 Peter 3:13-17
FAITHFUL IN HIS WORDS – Daniel 6:15-28
Daniel’s Silence – Vss. 15-20, Isaiah 53:7
Daniel’s Loyalty – Vs. 21
Daniel’s Protection – Vs. 22
Daniel’s Innocence – Vs. 22
FAITHFUL IN HIS WALK – Zechariah 4:6
_________________
DON’T GO BACK! – GALATIANS 4:1-20
TRULY FREE – STUDIES IN GALATIANS #7
“One of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of spiritual maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer back into a “second childhood” of Christian experience.”
- Please react to the quote above by Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary.
- Read Ephesians 2:8-10. How is legalism different from a life of good works?
Demonstrating a pastor’s heart, Paul is pleading with the Galatians not to go backwards into a bondage from which they were blessed to come out. Any time we try to stay saved by obeying rules and regulations, we are going backwards!
REVIEW – GALATIANS 3:15-29 – GOD MADE IT GREAT (JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH)!
- God’s Sure Promise – Vss. 15-18
- The Law’s Sensible Purpose – Vss. 19-24
- The Believer’s Secure Position – Vss. 25-29
FROM BONDAGE – GALATIANS 4:1-3
- The heir was a slave. – Vs. 1
- The heir had guardians. – Vs. 2
- As heirs of salvation, we were in bondage to the “elements of the world” or “human religion”, Jewish or Gentile. – Vs. 3
- To follow any religious rules, other than justification by faith in Christ, puts us in bondage.
TO BLESSINGS – Galatians 4:4-7
- The timing was perfect. – Vs. 4
- The birth was perfect. – Vs. 4
- The purpose was perfect. – Vs. 5 – We are released from the bondage of the law.
- The outcome was perfect. – Vss. 6-7 – Revelation 3:21, 21:7
TO BONDAGE (AGAIN!) – Galatians 4:8-20
- Dangerous regression – Vss. 8-11
- Pastoral appeal – Vss. 12-15
- Vs. 12a – “Become like me…” – He was free from the bondage of Old Testament Law.
“For I became like you” – For the sake of evangelism, Paul became “all things to all men”. 1 Corinthians 9:19-21
- Vss. 12b-15 – “Remember past affection”
- Penetrating Question – Vs. 16
- Sinful Zeal – Vss. 17-18
- Parental Devotion and Confusion – Vss. 19-20
_________________________________
TITUS 2:1-1O - LESSONS
GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH #4 on Titus
A Complete Lesson
- What are some lessons that children need to learn?
- What are some lessons that teenagers need to learn?
- What are some lessons that young adults need to learn?
- What are some lessons that senior citizens need to learn?
No matter what our age or lot in life there seems to be no lack for lessons that need to be learned. In Titus 2:1-10 Paul shares with us some lessons that different groups need to learn within the church. These lessons, when learned, lead the church into a Godly lifestyle.
RETROSPECT – 1:15-16
· Paul is finishing up talking about the false teachers we have called contradictors.
· Vs. 15 – All things are pure to the pure, but to the impure nothing is pure. Luke 6:45, Matthew 15:18-19
- Vs. 16 – False teachers claim to know God, but by their very acts they deny Him.
LESSONS FOR OLDER MEN - Vss. 1-2
· Vs. 1 – Why is good doctrine not enough?
· The things that are becoming to good doctrine involve good behavior. Not only are Christians to believe correctly, but they are to live correctly. Good behavior compliments good doctrine.
· Paul takes time to share the lessons that each key group within in the church needs to learn.
· Vs. 2 – Paul begins with what the older men need to be encouraged to do. Why do you think he starts with them?
· First, they are to be “sober minded”. This came to mean being sober in one’s thinking. A sober minded person thinks before he acts. Why is that important?
· Grave = “Worthy of respect”. This is someone who shows serious progress in the Christian life.
· Temperate = self control. Fleshly appetites are to be under control. Proverbs 25:28
· The aged men are also to be “sound” or healthy:
-
- Sound in the faith – the whole body of truth
- Sound in the love – John 13:34-35
- Sound in the patience - James 5:7-8
LESSONS FOR OLDER WOMEN - Vs. 3
· An aged Godly saint is a blessing whether male or female.
· An aged Godly woman has four qualities mentioned here.
· “Behavior as becometh holiness” – This is respect for the things of God, or reverence. She worships and serves God in a reverent way.
· “Not false accusers” – Slander is not to be part of the older woman’s life. She is not to spread critical evaluations of others. Why is this dangerous?
· “Not given to wine” – Alcohol consumption was to be limited.
- “Teachers of good things” – What mission field has God given to older women? Have you ever been impacted by such a woman?
LESSONS FOR YOUNGER WOMEN - Vss. 4-5
· “To love their husbands” – Why do young women sometimes need to be reminded to love their husbands?
· “To love their children” – In what situations might a woman need to be reminded to love her children?
· “Discreet” = sober minded
· “Purity” – In what ways does a woman need to be pure? Why is that hard sometimes?
· “Keepers at home” – Does this mean that a woman should never work outside of the home? What part should a career have in a woman’s life?
· “Good” = kind
- “Obedient to their own husbands” – How obedient should a wife be to her husband? Ephesians 5:22-25
LESSONS FOR YOUNGER MEN - Vss. 6
- Vs. 6 – The young men were to be “sober minded” or “sensible”. They were to think clearly and be under control. Why is this command a challenge to a young man?
LESSONS FOR PASTORS – Vss. 7-8
· Vs. 7 – Titus, who was a pastor, needed to model good works. Why does a pastor need to be an especially good role model?
· “Doctrine” – Why is doctrine often ignored in the church? Why is correct doctrine important?
· What is “uncorrupt” doctrine?
· When a person is “grave” he is dignified. How should a pastor show dignity?
· Vs. 8 – How would you describe “sound speech”?
- According to this verse, what are the benefits of sound speech and good behavior?
LESSONS FOR EMPLOYEES - Vss. 9-10
- Vs. 9 - I believe the closest thing we have to servants today is employees.
- Why is our behavior as employees important?
- How do we go about treating employers well?
- Why are we tempted to talk back to some employers and how does that hurt the cause of Christ?
- Vs. 10 – “purloining = embezzlement” – Why is stealing from an employer tempting to some?
- “Good fidelity” refers to faithfulness. When we are faithful we “adorn”, or make the doctrine of God look attractive. Why?
___________________________
ON THE MONEY
“IN GOD WE TRUST”
We don’t know how much longer the national motto will be “In God we trust”. Nor do we know how much longer the phrase “In God we trust” will be on our currency.
But we do not need “In God we trust” to be on the currency or the national motto for us to make it our own personal motto.
It certainly makes sense that as Christians we would trust in God. We should believe in Him, rely on Him, and trust in Him. The wisest thing that we can do is make trust in God a habit and not something we only do when we have problems. Trusting in God should be a way of life.
In the Book of Psalms, the word trust appears 50 times. This morning we want to encourage you to trust God and His Son, as we look at some of the aspects of trust as found in the book of Psalms.
“IN GOD WE TRUST”:
REDEMPTIVE TRUST
Psalm 34:22 - The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
In order to truly trust God we must begin with an issue that is of utmost importance to God. That issue is eternal life. You might be tired of hearing me tell you in as many words that you are no-good, rotten sinner and that you don’t deserve to go to Heaven!
But I’m just telling you what God says! Romans 3:10-18
Ezekiel 18:4 - Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
We need help. God demands punishment for our sin. God demands eternal death for our sin. But now the good news:
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants:
The price was paid for our sins by the Lord Himself when He died for us on the cross at Calvary.
Isaiah 53:5-6
So, the Lord redeems the souls of His servants.
How do we know if we are His servants or not?
I mean, I’d hate to die thinking I was God’s servant and then finding out that I wasn’t!
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
According to this verse, the ones that are God’s servants are the ones who trust or take refuge in Him.
That’s exactly what we do when we place our faith in God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
When I trust Jesus as my Savior I admit that I am not good enough to save myself or earn my own way to Heaven. I take refuge in the shed blood of Christ for my sins! Ephesians 2:8-9
Notice that Psalm 34:22 concludes … and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
The Word desolate means “condemned”. When our faith is in Christ our sins have been paid for, that’s what redemption is! When we are redeemed, we are not condemned. John 3:18
RESOURCEFUL TRUST
Psalm 56:3 - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Notice that trust is always a decision on my part.
I can choose to be uptight or I can choose to trust.
I can choose to worry or I can choose to trust.
I can choose to panic or I can choose to trust.
God is there as my resource. I must choose to trust or pay the price of anxiety, fear, worry, high blood pressure, etc. etc.
Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
When my trust is in God I am trusting in His strength.
I’m not relying on my own ability, but His.
When it comes to our anxieties, our worries, our cares, our need for strength, we have a God who will be our strength if we let Him. We need to trust Him! He will be our help!
RELIANT TRUST
Psalm 112:7 - He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
A fixed heart is a reliant heart.
A fixed heart is a heart that is already focused on God.
When there is a possibility of bad news I need to be already focused on God.
When there is bad or even tragic news, I need to be focused on God.
If I am already living a life of trust in the good times, I will not go into a panic during the bad times.
Isaiah 41:10
We trust the Lord when we continually come to Him in prayer by faith. Psalm 55:22
We trust the Lord when we read His Word, study His Word, have it preached to us, and believe it and obey it. Psalm 119:10-11
RELIABLE TRUST
Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
We should trust God because He is trustworthy!
He is my “rock”.
A rock speaks of strength.
A rock speaks of protection.
A rock speaks of permanence.
God is all these things for those who trust Him!
A fortress is a stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a position from which to fight. There is no stronger fortress than God!
Think of God as your deliverer. Ultimately, He is the only true hope that we have! If I am to be rescued, He is the one who will rescue!
God is my God! He is deity! He is the ruler of the universe.
God is my strength. When you have a problem, who do you rely on? Do you rely on yourself, your spouse, your friends, the government, or do you rely on God for strength?
A buckler is a shield.
A horn speaks of strength.
Of course, a high tower is a place to hide.
This verse is telling us that God is reliable!
Psalm 125:1 - They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Mount Zion is the hill on which Jerusalem is built.
It is a solid mountain, rock, not going anywhere anytime soon!
It was the home of the temple, the house of God, and the throne of David the king.
There will always be a Mount Zion, because there will always be a Jerusalem.
We are told that we will be like Mount Zion if we rely on the Lord.
Like Mt. Zion, we have a firm foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
Like Mt. Zion we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us. 1 Corinthians 3:16
Like Mt. Zion, we have a king, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:19-22
REFLECTIVE TRUST
Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Trust involves having a good memory.
Trust involves reflecting on the God whom we serve and relying on Him.
There are those who trust man-made and natural things like chariots and horses.
But the person who trusts God puts no confidence in man as his ultimate deliverer.
RESTING TRUST
Psalm 36:7 - How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
God loves you! His steadfast love is towards you!
Therefore we are to come to Him to Him for help and protection, and we are to rest!
REJOICING TRUST
Psalm 5:11 - But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
When I am trusting God, I can rejoice because:
- The God who runs the universe is helping me.
- The God who has made me His child is helping me.
- The God who defends me is helping me.
- The God who, I should love with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind, wants me to be joyful in Him!
REWARDED TRUST
Psalm 84:12 - O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
I am rewarded with the blessings of God who blesses the one who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalm 31:19 - Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Summing this verse up quickly, God pours out His goodness to those who fear Him and for those who publicly trust Him!
ON THE MONEY!
IN GOD WE TRUST:
REDEMPTIVE TRUST
RESOURCEFUL TRUST
RELIANT TRUST
RELIABLE TRUST
REFLECTIVE TRUST
RESTING TRUST
REJOICING TRUST
REWARDED TRUST
_________________
Sermon Seeds are designed to serve you! If they help you, please pass them on.
You may subscribe to Sermon Seeds by sending an email to pastorjackpeters@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to receive these as an attached file or in the body of an email.
To view our archives, please visit https://www.fbcnhremembers.com/sermon_seeds